A delegation from the Communist Party of China (CPC), led by Sun Haiyan, Vice Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), visited the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters in Delhi on Monday.

During the visit, the Chinese delegation held discussions with a BJP team headed by party general secretary Arun Singh. The talks focused on ways to advance inter-party communication and engagement between the BJP and the CPC.

Sharing details of the meeting, BJP foreign affairs department in-charge Vijay Chauthaiwale said the interaction involved an in-depth exchange on strengthening party-to-party dialogue. He confirmed the visit in a post on social media, stating that the CPC delegation was received at the BJP head office as part of ongoing inter-party interactions.

The Chinese Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, was also present during the meeting, accompanying the CPC delegation.

According to Chauthaiwale, the visit was led by Sun Haiyan in her capacity as Vice Minister of the IDCPC, underscoring the importance attached to party-level exchanges between the two sides.

With elections to major civic bodies approaching, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday asserted that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) would continue to be led by a Marathi leader, rejecting opposition claims that the interests of the “Marathi manush” were under threat.

Addressing the political narrative around Marathi identity, Fadnavis said that it was not the Marathi community whose existence was at risk, but certain political forces attempting to create fear ahead of the polls. He stressed that Maharashtra belongs to all Marathi people and not to any single political group.

“I want to reiterate that only a Marathi person will be at the helm of affairs in the BMC. Only Marathi will lead,” the chief minister said, pushing back against allegations of marginalisation of the Marathi community.

Language policy row and cabinet decision

Responding to criticism over the language policy debate, Fadnavis said the recommendation to teach Hindi and English in schools was approved during the tenure of former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray. He clarified that the present government had merely constituted a committee to examine the implementation of that earlier cabinet decision.

According to Fadnavis, the report recommending the inclusion of Hindi and English was submitted in September 2021 and received cabinet approval in January 2022, with the decision being reaffirmed later. “We have only formed a committee to study the implementation of that decision, yet unnecessary controversy was created,” he said.

Opposition sharpens attack

Earlier, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray accused the state government of damaging Mumbai over the last three years and claimed that the work carried out by the undivided Shiv Sena over 25 years was being undone.

The political rhetoric intensified further after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray called for Marathi unity, warning that Maharashtra’s language, land and identity were under threat. Addressing party workers, he said any attempt to impose Hindi in the state would be opposed and described the upcoming BMC polls as a decisive election for the Marathi community.

The exchanges come ahead of elections to 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra, including the BMC, Pune Municipal Corporation and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation. Polling is scheduled for January 15, with counting to take place on January 16.

Amid renewed political speculation around Nationalist Congress Party–Sharad Pawar (NCP-SP) leader Supriya Sule’s future, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Monday dismissed rumours of her joining the BJP, stating that he is “not an astrologer” and prefers to focus on governance and electoral outcomes rather than conjecture.

The remarks came after Sule publicly praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for sending all-party delegations abroad following Operation Sindoor, triggering fresh political chatter in Maharashtra’s volatile landscape.

Ajit Pawar rejects political speculation

Responding to questions from the media, Ajit Pawar said speculative interpretations are often exaggerated and unnecessarily amplified.

“I am not an astrologer. Such speculative questions often become breaking news without reason. My focus is on development until January 15,” he said, seeking to put an end to the rumours.

On whether there is any possibility of the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party coming together, Pawar said the immediate priority is electoral success.

“At present, our top priority is winning the elections. We are working with full effort to ensure a positive outcome,” he said.

On NCP reunification and family ties

Addressing broader questions on a possible reunification between the NCP and NCP-SP, Pawar used a familial analogy, suggesting that unity cannot be ruled out.

“We are one family. In every family, people come together during moments of happiness and sorrow. If family members decide to stand together, there is nothing wrong in that,” he said.

However, he did not indicate any concrete move or timeline for such a reunion.

Thackeray brothers’ reunion and voter behaviour

Commenting on the coming together of the Thackeray brothers, Pawar said the development could have electoral consequences.

“Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS traditionally had different voter bases. With them coming together, vote division could reduce, which may benefit them electorally,” he said.

Pawar clarified that he played no role in facilitating the reunion but welcomed the move, calling it a positive development within a political family.

He also cautioned against assuming uniform voter consolidation, noting that voting behaviour varies across elections.

“Voters think differently in national, state and local elections. The results of the Lok Sabha and subsequent Assembly elections clearly show that,” he added.

On free facilities, local alliances and Mumbai remark

Responding to criticism over promises of free facilities, Pawar said such decisions rest with the Chief Minister at the state level and the Prime Minister at the national level. He added that at the local body level, his experience of over two decades guides his approach.

On alliances involving parties like the NCP, Shiv Sena and AIMIM in local bodies such as the Parli Municipal Corporation, Pawar said such arrangements are common and often finalised locally without involving senior leadership.

He also strongly rejected remarks by a BJP leader claiming Mumbai is not part of Maharashtra.

“Mumbai is in India, and within India, it is in Maharashtra. It will always remain a part of Maharashtra. Such statements are made around elections to draw attention,” Pawar said.

On Bharat Ratna for Sharad Pawar

When asked whether NCP founder Sharad Pawar should be awarded the Bharat Ratna, Ajit Pawar said the decision lies with the Central government.

“Sharad Pawar has served public life for over 60 years and taken many important decisions. Anyone is free to express an opinion, but the final call rests with the Centre,” he said.